September 5th, 2008
Eurobike
Eurobike, Europe’s largest bike industry show, is currently taking place in Friedrichshafen, Germany. Following are a few reports that are starting to trickle out:

Eurobike, Europe’s largest bike industry show, is currently taking place in Friedrichshafen, Germany. Following are a few reports that are starting to trickle out:
BlueVelo is gearing up to release their new TEAM velomobile this Fall:
We are currently scheduling deliveries for our latest model, the TEAM, in October. Based on the Cab-Bike platform, coupled with a new head-out top designed and produced in Canada, this velomobile offers riders loads of storage, an adjustable seat, full suspension, SRAM Dual Drive, and a hinged top for easy entry.
And it can be yours for a paltry $7,450 CDN. ;-) It looks like a sweet machine…
Visit the BlueVelo website →
[via 'Bentrider Online]
Urban Velo #9 hit the streets today.
Download or view Urban Velo on your computer. 100% free, no catch. The browser version features clickable hyperlinks. The PDF version is set up for printing on 8.5″ x 11″ paper, and allows you to zoom in and out.
Visit their download page →

Gold Country Cyclery just took delivery of the new Stratus LE XL with 700C rear wheel. From the Gold Country Blog:
The first of the newly designed Stratus LE XL’s has arrived at our shop. This new model sports the same silver/blue paint scheme as the standard size models, but has a redesigned rear triangle to accommodate it’s 700c rear wheel. With that design includes IS disc brake mount for future upgrades. Wheelset has proven Sun CR18 406/700c rims and Shimano Deore hubs. New Continental SportContact slicks (406-28 /700-28) are quite a departure from the Primo Comets.
Brief test riding reveals the new Stratus to be stable and fast! For the moment our retail price is $1490
In my opinion, the Stratus LE is one of the best all-around recumbents on the market and a super value. The 700C rear wheel puts it head-to-head with the Tour Easy.

What we already knew intuitively is now official. A new survey out today, published by the Bikes Belong Coalition (an industry group comprised of shops and manufacturers), shows many bicycle retailers are doing very well this year and most think it’s because of high gas prices:
The majority of retailers who responded said their sales of transportation-related bicycles, accessories, and service have increased in 2008 compared to 2007:
Is this increase in sales because of high gas prices? Most retailers who we surveyed think so:
This is great news; let’s hope the trend continues.
View the survey results →
Mike Flanigan of A.N.T. was recently featured on NPR’s Marketplace in a piece titled Can’t afford gas? Try a ‘commuter bike’. Check it out here.

Quality Bicycle Parts (QBP) is the largest distributor of bicycle parts and accessories in the industry. Many of the parts and accessories on the shelves in your local bike shop were probably ordered from QBP, yet interestingly, very few people have heard of them. QBP also owns the Surly, Civia, and Salsa bicycle brands; if you ride a Surly, Civia, or Salsa bicycle, you’re riding a QBP product.
Dirt Rag magazine recently published an interview with QBP founder Steve Flagg. Since QBP is such a powerhouse in the industry, but very few people have heard of them, I thought my readers might be interested in the interview.

Civia, makers of high-end commuter bikes, is introducing a new steel-framed model at Interbike this year. Designed as a short distance transportation bike, it will have an increased load carrying capacity with front and rear racks as standard equipment. The frame geometry and ergonomics will be more relaxed than their flagship Hyland model (pictured above), but it will sport similar integrated, design-specific componentry. The new model will be available in both 3spd and 9spd specs with prices ranging from $1300-$1700. It’s targeted to hit stores in May 2009.
Specs
Wheel Base: 26″
Frame Geometry: Relaxed
Frame Material: Steel
Fenders: Yes
Rack: Rear and Front
Brakes: Disc
Hubs: Internal Gear
Visit the Civia website →
[I should have more detailed specs (and hopefully photos) in late September. —Alan]
Vik over at the Tikit to Ride blog is currently testing a prototype Bike Friday Tikit folding bike with an 8-speed Shimano Nexus hub installed. Read all about it here.

Smart Planet has posted a quick review of 5 folding bikes. It’s a bit of an odd mix, but it’s nice to see the Mezzo D-10 and Brompton M3L included. As is typical in these shootouts, the Brommie came out on top.
Read the review →

Panasonic is introducing a hybrid hp/electric bicycle that uses braking energy to charge a 10Ah Li-ion secondary battery. In testing, Panasonic found the electric motor extended the bicycle’s range by 25 miles (I don’t know how they arrived at that number but I’m assuming it depends upon how much work the cyclist does). For now the Vivi RX 10-S will only be available in Japan.
[via Gizmodo]

Princeton Tec has a new tail light dubbed the “Swerve” that is designed to compete with the popular Planet Bike Superflash. It features two high-powered LEDs (one with a diffused beam, the other with a focused beam), and two modes (one steady and one flash). It comes with a versatile mount that works on a fork, handlebar, seatstay, or seatpost, and it has a built-in clip for mounting on a helmet, jersey, or seat bag.
The Swerve, with its pair of 0.5 watt LEDS, should be brighter than the Superflash. I’ve seen side-by-side video beam shots comparing the two and it appears the baseline output of the Swerve may be brighter, but the strobe flash of the Superflash is definitely more eye-catching and intense. It just goes to show that there’s more to a light than numbers on a spec sheet. I was planning on picking up a Swerve, but after seeing the beam shots, I think I’ll stick with my Superflash for now. At $24.95 the Swerve is a great deal and a viable alternative, but it doesn’t look like Planet Bike has too much to worry about quite yet.
Trek’s Go By Bike Challenge is now underway. Participating is simple:
Trek is giving away one 7.2 FX bike per day through August 31st. All you have to do is pledge and enter to win.
Click here to enter (or follow the above link).
This is the 2008 Light Roadster from A.N.T. Mike Flanigan of A.N.T. calls it “…the best all round bike I have come up with.” I really like the looks of this bike. To my eye it exudes a particularly attractive understated elegance; a perfect blend of old and new. If I was in the market for a custom bike, an A.N.T. roadster would be on my short list.
There’s a more colorful version of this model in antbike’s photostream.
Pashley recently launched a new website dedicated solely to their Guv’nor path racer.
Cateye just announced the availability of their new “Uno” headlight. This looks like a fantastic little LED light that should make a great backup or “be seen” light. Specs as follows:
Prior to the Uno coming out, my favorite backup headlight was the Cateye EL-410. The Uno is over twice as bright and runs on one AA battery instead of the EL-410’s three AAA batteries. Gotta’ love the ever-greater efficiency we’re seeing with modern LED emitters.
Randy Schlitter from RANS sent me this preliminary report on the Ride and Carry (RAC) cargo system under development for RANS crank forward bikes.






Ride Report 70808
Date: 7-08-08
Rider: RJS/KAD
Bike:Â Dynamik Duo
Testing For:
How the new RAC ( Ride And Carry) system works in the real world.
Conditions: Winds ENE 5 temps 84
Ride Distance:Â 7.25 miles
Calories: 346 (RJS)
Average V:Â 10 MPH
Max V: 25.1 MPH
Time:Â 43:24
Ascent: N/A
Average heart rate: 107
Max. Heart Rate: 133
Findings:
The numbers show we took it pretty easy, simulating an average couple out shopping. The distance ridden was not much, again within average reach. The handling is not affected, in fact the bike responds well with the added load. The downhill was fast, and of course the uphill had the feel of added weight.
The load was about 20 pounds of groceries, or $70 bucks. I wanted to haul a watermelon, and now that I know how well the bags keep shape with a load, we will next time.
I like several aspects of using the RAC on a tandem, it gets both of us shopping, and with some concern on how much we buy, that can mean a couple of things, less spending, and more trips. Note the calories even if double (700) is an example of a good return for the energy invested.
We did stop into a take and bake pizza place with the grocery load onboard. The pizza turned out easy to haul intact, simply letting it “potato chip” a bit worked to allow the pizza to fit inside the bag. If I were hauling a baked pizza in box, taking bungees would be wise, so strapping it to the top deck could be done.
I can see an insulated bag as Kelli our HR person suggest, to keep cool things cool, and maybe a built in bungee system to allow top loading. The RAC is the first proto, and has an open space between the bags, which is great for lifting the rear and droppind the kickstand. We will need to figure another way to drop the kick stand when heavy. Perhaps lifting bar the handle bars on a single seater will work.
Conclusions:
So far great, need more testing and try progressively heavier loads. Need to try how to raise and lower the kickstand with a heavy load.
Production should begin in a few weeks with a target price of $375 and some interesting features:
If you have questions, ask away in the comment section below as I know Randy drops in here and I’m sure he’d be happy to provide answers.

This interesting Globe concept hybrid bike was spotted in the lobby at Specialized Bicycles headquarters, in Morgan Hill, California.
[Uploaded to flickr by hugojcardoso]
Mike Flanigan over at A.N.T. makes some of the most attractive utility bikes around (his Light Roadsters are absolutely stunning). Here’s a statement about his building philosophy:
Here at ANT we [Mike & Betsy] are set out to re-invent the “Roadster” style bike that is a conglomeration of Dutch, French and English style commuter bicycles, but built with American craftsmanship and with modern techniques and components.
We are also interested in promoting our bikes as not only commuter bicycles, but as everyday bicycles that can be used for any type of road or light trail/dirt road riding. A lightweight, but rugged bike with fattish tires and equipped with all the accouterments that you will need to travel comfortably, safely and to be able to carry the things that you need.
The other day he put his money where his mouth is by delivering a recently completed bike to a customer by towing it on a cargo trailer behind his bike. There’s something particularly cool about a builder delivering a handmade bike by towing it behind another handmade bike. To put icing on the cake, the trailer used to deliver the bike was rescued from a dumpster. Love it.
I keep hearing how well the industry is doing, how high gas prices are fueling high bike sales. In Portland, bike sales are so through the roof that Clever Cycles is closing their business for two weeks during the peak of cycling season because they’re out of almost all of their primary products and can’t restock fast enough! Not a bad problem to have!
From the Clever Cycles Blog:
Read the full post at the Clever Cycles Blog.
